Blue Ridge Parkway

Start: Charlottesville, VA

End: Sylva, NC

Last Modified: 2012-01-23 16:12:09

Total Mileage: 469 Miles

Number of stops: 30

Description

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic highway connecting Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. The Parkway, which traverses Virginia and western North Carolina, encompasses a 469-mile drive that includes many areas of natural and cultural significance.

The majority of the Parkway in Virginia runs through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and into the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina along mountain crests. The road itself is a two-lane highway with a 45 mph speed limit, but for travelers who enjoy “driving trips,” traveling the Parkway can be a very special experience.

In addition to the stops on the Parkway itself, the byway is adjacent to many nearby communities with their own unique histories, culture and attractions. This is why the Parkway is often referred to as a "window" to the region and provides access to scores of communities, with cultural and natural sites that help define this region of the country. A full Parkway experience involves getting into these communities and enjoying the people and the local flavor that is so much a part of a visit to the area.

Because of its mountain terrain and high elevations, some portions of the Parkway are closed during winter months due to weather or other conditions. It is advisable to check driving conditions and road reports from the National Park Service before beginning your Parkway journey.